Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2011 BMW 550I
NHTSA data on file today
The 2011 BMW 550I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 84 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #18V248000 Electric Auxiliary Water Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V832000 Supplemental Restraints may not Deploy as Needed NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V746000 Loose Fuel Pump Wiring may cause Stall/Fuel Leak NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 32 complaints
- Electrical System 20 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 14 complaints
- Power Train 14 complaints
- Tires 12 complaints
- Unknown or Other 8 complaints
Of the 84 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 11 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $9,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2011 BMW 550i has been recalled for significant engine, airbag, and fuel system issues with numerous owner complaints related to reliability. These frequent and costly repairs lead to a below-average overall rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| turbocharger | 60,000–80,000 miles | $2,000–$3,500 | very common |
| fuel pump | 50,000–70,000 miles | $1,000–$1,500 | common |
| airbag sensor unit | 40,000–60,000 miles | $500–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 7,500 miles
- Brake fluid flush every 2 years
- Coolant change every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid service at 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating or smoke
- Fuel smell or leaks
- Airbag light permanently on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2011 BMW 550I at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.